When students enter the lunch line, they can be overwhelmed with choices and aromas and make impulsive selections in the “heat of the moment.” This is referred to as hot-state decision making (1). While in a hot-state, students are more …
Tips for Engaging Kids with Gardening
School and home gardening is a great way to get kids to try new fruits and vegetables and learning about sustainable practices to grow them. It’s a fantastic way to teach kids about science, as well as increase their physical …
Cooking with Kids: Opportunities for Partnerships
From learning lifelong skills to improving diet to fostering a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, the benefits of cooking with children are well-established. While parents are encouraged to find ways to involve their children in meal preparation at home, many …
Kids Who See Their Veggies See a Brighter Future
When it comes to eating vegetables, sometimes kids don’t budge. Parents dread seeing their children’s disgusted facial expressions in the presence of leafy greens and root vegetables, and it is often difficult to determine a sustainable solution.
One option is …
Eat, Play, Love—Raising Healthy Eaters
During this 60-minute webinar, speakers provide “real world” answers to the following questions:
- What do children actually need to be healthy?
- What is “division of responsibility” and why is it important for parents and children?
- Why should the focus be
From Potato Chips to Mini Meals: Optimizing Nutrient Quality of Snacks
With snacking on the rise across all ages and demographics, it’s time we take our mini meals seriously. The average American consumes about one-quarter of their daily calories from snacks, and the most common snacks are calorie-rich and nutrient-poor.
This …
Youth Advocacy and Youth-Adult Partnerships for Combatting Childhood Obesity
Youth advocacy is a tool increasingly used to engage youth in promoting positive community changes. In a literature review on the topic, Shawna Hite and Kayla Oberstadt highlight youth-adult partnerships, which go above and beyond to include youth as active …
Fruits and Veggies on the Move: Fun Tips for the Park, Beach and Picnic Basket
During the warmer months of spring, summer and fall, many families are on the move to the great outdoors. During vacations, weekends, and free time during the week- parks, beaches, and hiking trails are popular family get-away destinations. When out …
Inspiring Kids to Try New Foods
Ask any parent about their most frequent meal time struggles, and no doubt “getting my kids to try a new food” will be right at the top of the list. With the right approach, increasing children’s food repertoire doesn’t have …
Working with Schools to Address Special Dietary Needs
It can be difficult to control what foods your children have access to at school, but proactive measures can be taken to ensure your child’s dietary needs are still met. This barrier can be especially nerve-wracking when children have dietary …